Physical activity and total serum bilirubin levels among insulin sensitive and insulin resistant U.S. adults

Abstract

BackgroundTotal serum bilirubin has been identified as a novel biomarker for metabolic disease, with higher levels providing protection against metabolic disease. To our knowledge, only 3 studies, to date, have examined the association between physical activity and total serum bilirubin, with these studies reporting mixed findings. One potential reason for the mixed findings may be the exclusive use of self-report physical activity methodology. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between accelerometer-assessed physical activity and total serum bilirubin among a national sample of U.S. insulin sensitive and insulin resistant adults.MethodsData from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Physical activity was objectively-measured using an accelerometer over a 7 day period. Bilirubin levels were assessed from a blood sample. Data was analyzed in 2013.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, gender, race-ethnicity, BMI, comorbid illness, cotinine, and poverty level, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with bilirubin for insulin resistant individuals (β = 0.08; p = 0.04), but not insulin sensitive individuals (β = 0.02; p = 0.38).ConclusionsMVPA is associated with total serum bilirubin levels among U.S. adults with insulin resistance. Future experimental and prospective studies are needed, with further attention focused on the mechanisms that may help to explain the association between physical activity and bilirubin.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Antioxidants as Immunomodulators in Exercise: Implications for Heme Oxygenase and Bilirubin

“…A more recent study confirmed these observations by examining why moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) resulted in a significant increase in serum bilirubin in insulin-resistant subjects but not in insulin-sensitive subjects. The authors hypothesized that the observed increase in bilirubin in the insulin-resistant subjects could be due to a lower basal level of bilirubin, resulting in a more remarkable absolute change in bilirubin in response to MVPA [ 74 ]. The underlying rationale for this pattern of bilirubin change in response to different exercise volumes should be further explored to improve our understanding of the connection between insulin resistance and changing bilirubin levels.…”

Association Between Flavonoid-Rich Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Total Serum Bilirubin

“…Although limited in examination, smoking is inversely associated with bilirubin, 23,24 while physical activity is positively associated with bilirubin. [24][25][26][27] Additionally, the effect of other health-enhancing behaviors (eg, diet) on bilirubin levels is unclear. It is plausible to suggest that adequate consumption of flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables may be associated with bilirubin, given their influence on inflammation, 28 markers of CV disease, 29 and more importantly, their ability to modulate enzymes (eg, uridine 5 0 -diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases) that influence bilirubin levels.…”

Comparative Study of Crude and Wine-Processing Corni Fructus on Chemical Composition and Antidiabetic Effects

“…The fasting serum insulin (FINS) was determined by the ELISA kit. The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated as FBG (mmol/L) × FINS ( μ U/mL)/22.5, IR was defined as HOMA-IR > 2.6 [25–27], and the homeostasis model assessment- β (HOMA- β ) was calculated based on the following formula: HOMA- β = [(20 ∗ FINS)/(FBG − 3.5)] [28]. All parameters were obtained according to the manufacturer's instructions.…”